Myths About Lifts and Elevators

There are many myths about lifts and elevators circulating out there. Exactly how far from the truth they are, varies. But many elevator myths have at least one thing in common: their popularity with the film industry.

There is something tantalising about putting key characters together inside a small, confined space like an elevator, forcing them to interact or actively ignore each other. But although many great scenes have been shot inside lifts, some of the more action-packed ones perpetuate myths that can make some people uneasy for no good reason at all.

Myth 1: Free-falling Elevators

The free-falling elevator is probably the biggest and least founded of all myths about lifts and elevators. Still, this is a scenario that has been featured in so many action movies that people actually think that it can happen. But the truth is that likelihood of this happening, even historically, is minimal. Today, it would take a freak event to sever all the lifting cables of a traction lift, for example.

Elevators by all knowledgeable manufacturers include extensive mechanical safety features and electronic safety checks that prevent the elevator car from plummeting. In addition, for elevators with certain drive systems, like screw-driven lifts, it is mechanically impossible for the lift car to plunge. The only way that could happen is if the screw and nut are worn down because of a complete lack of maintenance.

The Kalea C1 Futura is a screw-driven elevator with sliding doors and automatic drive.

Myth 2: Over-crowded Lifts Are Dangerous

This is another misconception about lifts and elevators. An over-crowded lift will not fall or break, it will simply refuse to travel. Today, lifts have overload protection systems that not only stop the lift from travelling but warn the passengers. As soon as the overload is removed, the lift works again.

Myth 3: You get Stuck in the Elevator During a Power Cut

Many people are anxious about taking the elevator for fear of getting stuck inside. Although this can happen, it only happens if there is a malfunction of the lift, not because of a simple power outage. In fact, most modern elevators have battery backup and safety systems that ensure that the lift car lowers itself to the closest floor so you can exit, in case of a power cut.

If you get stuck in an elevator due to malfunction, just try to stay calm and call for assistance. Nothing can happen to you in the lift, and in most cases, you will be out of there fast. Calls about elevator entrapment are highly prioritised by all legitimate lift companies.

Myth 4: Lift Doors Opening to an Empty Shaft

Given that this is not an impossible but extremely rare scenario, it may be wrong to classify this as a complete myth. However, the lift door cannot open if the lift car is not there unless the electric safety circuit of the elevator is seriously compromised. This is extremely rare and, in most cases, caused by human error or sabotage. But film and TV directors continue to use scary elevator scenarios, however unlikely, for dramatic effect. A classic example is the scene where the main character Don nearly steps into an empty elevator shaft in episode 8 of Mad Men Season 5.

Myth 5: Lift Doors Can Open Between Floors

Again, the likelihood of this ever happening to you is incredibly small. Elevators have extensive electromechanical safety systems that ensure that the doors of the lift car cannot open while the lift is travelling. The lift car doors will not open even if the elevator stops between floors. This is because the doors of the lift car need to be level with the landing doors to open. If the elevator stops between floors, you should never try to pry the lift doors open but call for assistance.

Myth 6: All Lifts Are Expensive

Everything is relative, so of course it depends on your conception of expensive. But to give you an example, buying a lift can be less expensive than buying a good family car. In addition, while the value of a car decreases as soon as you set foot in it, the purchase of an elevator will add value to your property for many years to come.

Smart & Inexpensive Lift Solutions

It is true that lifts and elevators used to be rather expensive, especially when you only had traction or hydraulic lifts to choose from. But today, there is a wide range of cost-efficient lift solutions out there. Some of them are even prefabricated to speed up the manufacturing process and facilitate the integration with your property. To learn more about lift and elevator prices, please visit our Home Lift Price page.

Myth 7: Installing an Elevator is Difficult

Another common misconception is that installing a lift requires major construction work that will take several take weeks if not months. While it is true that a conventional traction or hydraulic lift will require important building alterations, there are other elevator solutions.

Ready-made Lift Solutions

Screw-driven platform lifts and cabin lifts are delivered in ready-made elements and require much less space and building work than conventional elevators. One of the reasons is that the drive system of screw-driven elevators is completely integrated with the shaft, which eliminates the need for a separate machine room. Other reasons are that screw-driven lifts neither require the deep lift pit nor the extensive headroom that most conventional elevators do.

The fact that vertical platform lifts come with a ready-made lift shaft in glass or steel panels makes them even more space-efficient and easy to install. In fact, a 2-stop screw-driven platform lift can be installed in just 2-3 days and a 2-stop screw-driven cabin lift in about 3-4 days.

The Kalea Luna is part of our latest generation of screw-driven lifts.

No Myth – Maintenance Is Key to Lift Safety

One thing that is definitely not a myth is that lifts and elevators require proper service and maintenance to be safe to use. Without maintenance, even the safest lift will start to break down and may eventually even become dangerous. Therefore, you should always sign a maintenance contract. It is the best way to ensure that your lift receives the regular maintenance it needs to be safe and reliable.

Finding the Right Lift Service Partner

Signing a lift maintenance contract is a good start, but you should also make sure that you sign with a company that knows your type of lift. Never sign a service agreement with a lift company just because their representatives seem reliable. Always check their references to make sure that they are as knowledgeable and specialised in your type of lift as they claim.

Every type of drive system is different and maintaining them correctly requires extensive training. However, lift maintenance is a competitive business. For that reason, some lift service companies specialising in more conventional drive systems may claim that they also know how to service screw-driven or belt-driven lifts, even if they have no training.

All Kalea lift dealers are trained to sell, install, and maintain our screw-driven lifts. To learn more about lift maintenance, please visit our service & maintenance page or contact us.